Country Director - Ghana Expand Country Director - Ghana Location: Accra, GhanaReports to: Director of Programmes (in the UK)Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experienceContract terms: Full time, initially for 12 months with strong likelihood of extensionLeave: 25 days holiday per annum plus public holidaysTravel requirements: Extensive domestic travel with some international travel requiredAbout Vision Closing date: Thursday 21st June 2018 (Interview dates to be confirmed) About Vision Aid Overseas Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) is a UK-based charity, with a focus on fighting poverty by transforming access to eye care services in developing countries in Africa. The charity was established in 1985 following a visit of British optical professionals to Tanzania where they held a series of clinics to provide eye tests and spectacles to patients in poor and marginalised communities. Our work focuses on the development of services for uncorrected refractive error and primary eye health. Uncorrected refractive error is the world’s leading cause of avoidable visual impairment, with an estimated 670 million people affected worldwide. We develop programmes that integrate training, primary eye care and facility developments into national and regional eye care plans, seeking always to be responsive to local need. In this way, we help children to learn and adults to earn so that they can provide for their families.To learn more about us click here Purpose of Job The purpose of this Contract for Services is to develop and lead the Vision Aid Overseas’ Ghana programme expansion and support our mission of enabling people living in poverty to access affordable glasses and eye care. The Country Director for Ghana will be responsible for planning, implementing and managing the Vision Aid Overseas’ programme in Ghana to meet the objectives of accessible, comprehensive, quality eye care for all. The Country Director will lead on developing a strategic plan for Vision Aid Overseas’ programmes in Ghana, providing the leadership and management of the country programme. Reporting to the Director of Programmes based in the UK, they will be responsible for supporting the strategic objectives of the organisation in Ghana. Vision Aid Overseas is part of a consortium in Ghana that is formed of three organisations, delivering a comprehensive eyecare programme with the aim of reducing poverty through improved livelihoods for adults and improved learning outcomes for children. The Country Director will play a leadership role in this consortium on behalf of Vision Aid Overseas. Key areas VAO Strategy Development Lead on the development and implementation of a 5-year strategic plan for Vision Aid Overseas’ work in Ghana that clearly contributes to the Government’s Eye Health Strategy building on VAO’s niche. Develop new partnerships with a view for potential collaboration and joint programming where desirable. Develop strong programme proposals for funding working with the Fundraising and Communications Team.Programme Director for the Consortium (subject to change) Coordinate, plan, monitor and direct programme delivery for the consortium programme. Line manage other staff when appointed. Provide regular reports to the Consortium Lead in Ghana. Programme Planning and Management To manage (including the setting of tasks, priorities and monitoring), the Vision Aid Overseas Programme in Ghana including our contribution to the consortium programme. Maintain the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework including the collecting, analysing, and reporting statistics from Vision Centres and from volunteer assignments. Grant management, including accurate, well-written reporting. Manage programme budgets, often with multiple grants. Setting short and long-term targets. Constantly monitor the safety and security situation in the country and regularly review risk assessments. Undertake all necessary regulatory work for VAO as an INGO operating in Ghana (MOUs; registration requirements etc) Ensure all VAO policies (safeguarding etc) are understood and adhered to and adapted to Ghana in respect of Staff, Volunteers, disseminated/shared with partners etc Volunteer Management Make arrangements for volunteer assignments including arranging transport, accommodation, schedule planning, budgeting, and reporting. Give a safety and security briefing for each new team upon arrival, and be the primary point of contact during volunteer assignments. Coordination and Communication Regular skype meetings with international team. Quarterly reports, as well as grant specific reporting. Supporting the International staff on visits. Liaise with other UK based staff, including Fundraising and Communications team, Volunteer Coordinator, Finance team and the Director of Training and Education. Advocacy To maintain a strong relationship with the National Eye Care Committee and attend national and some regional IAPB workshops. Attending key meetings with stakeholders including with Donors with representation in Ghana. To read the full job description and to find out how to apply, please click here
Volunteer Local Optometry Committee CET Facilitators Expand Volunteer Local Optical Committee CET Facilitators Role Location: Nationwide Reports to: Senior Fundraising Officer This is a volunteer opportunity which is unpaid. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. Closing date: Friday 29th June 2018 We are seeking for Volunteer Local Optical Committee (LOC) CET Facilitators to help us present a pre-prepared CET accredited Peer Review Discussion session with PowerPoint at LOC study days. This is an opportunity to help advocate the work Vision Aid Overseas further to Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who may or may not have heard about our work. The Role Volunteering for Vision Aid Overseas, the Volunteer LOC Facilitators will be responsible for: Presenting a pre-prepared CET accredited Peer Review Discussion session with PowerPoint at LOC study days and facilitating the discussion Liaising with the Professional Volunteer Coordinator and Senior Fundraising Officer at the Vision Aid Overseas’ head office before and after the event Completing delegate lists and gathering attendees evidence of participation to ensure CET points can be recorded in the correct format and timeframe by the office (Please note, documents and guidance will be given in the training webinar) Networking with potential volunteers and members at LOC events with a view to liaising with the office for recruitment Personal specification To be considered for this role, you must meet the following criteria: Be a current member of Vision Aid Overseas Be a current GOC Registered Optometrist or Dispensing Optician Have volunteered on a Vision Aid Overseas assignment in the last three years and seen examples of eye conditions such as binocular vision anomalies, AMD, keratoconus, glaucoma and others Be able to use your Vision Aid Overseas volunteer knowledge and experience to be able to support group CET discussion during the event Have a good understanding of the goals of Vision Aid Overseas and the impact of its work within the context of Vision 2020 (Please note, this is covered in the Volunteer Development Programme, but it will also be covered in the training webinar) Have a passion for our work and can advocate Vision Aid Overseas to others Please note, you do not need experience in presenting or facilitating as a training webinar will be provided to all interested volunteers prior to delivering their first presentation and you will be supported by the Professional Volunteer Coordinator to meet the CET requirements for attendees. How to Apply There is no application form for this role however, once you have expressed your interest, you will need to submit a short paragraph letting us know why you are suitable to be a facilitator. To register your interest please email [email protected] with the subject line (Volunteer LOC Facilitator Application) or you can call her directly on 01293 535 016.
Volunteer with Vision Aid Overseas Expand Volunteer with Vision Aid Overseas If you are an Optometrist, Dispensing Optician or Optical Technician, your skills can help change lives in Africa. Find out more here.